Table of contents:
- Urine tests are not always positive for drugs
- How does a drug toxicology test in urine work?
- A blood test procedure to detect drugs in the blood
- Urine test procedure to detect drugs in the blood
- How long do drugs last in urine and blood?
Just like the official prescription drugs, psychotropic substances and illegal drugs also have a duration of how long they can "stay" in the body after the first consumption. The more and longer a substance can last in the body, the stronger and longer the medicinal effect will be. This is what underlies the urine and blood tests carried out by the competent authorities on suspected drug users, or even prospective employees / students / students in related institutions.
The reason is, urine and blood tests can tell them whether you are an active user or not - including the type of drug used. You can pass the test if the test comes back negative, which means that no drug has been found in your system. Have you ever thought how long the drugs in the urine and blood will last?
Urine tests are not always positive for drugs
Tests to check drug levels in the body are called toxicology tests or toxicological screening. Texticology tests are performed to check for the presence of drugs or chemicals such as drugs in the urine, blood and saliva.
As you know, drugs such as drugs can enter the body system by being swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Tests can also be done on stomach contents and sweat. But the latter is very rarely done.
Toxicology tests can identify up to 30 different drugs in one test. The types of medicine are not limited to narcotics. Toxicology tests can also detect official drug resdiu for medical treatment purposes, for example aspirin, vitamins, supplements, and can even detect blood alcohol content.
Toxicological screening will be carried out for the following purposes.
- For research purposes, for example to find out whether an overdose of certain drugs can cause life-threatening symptoms, loss of consciousness to strange behavior. Usually this is done within 4 days after the drug is eaten
- To see the use of illegal drugs that can increase the ability of athletes, such as steroids
- To check drug use in the workplace or for the recruitment process. Usually this test will be carried out in workplaces such as bus drivers, taxis to people who work in child care
- For the purposes of a treatment / rescue plan. Similar to the first point, drug screening in urine and blood can be done in people who have overdosed on drugs (not always a drug overdose; it could be paracetamol overdose which could potentially damage the liver)
How does a drug toxicology test in urine work?
Toxicology tests to detect drugs in the body can differ depending on the needs and methods used - through urine tests or blood tests.
A blood test procedure to detect drugs in the blood
Drug screening can be done with a blood test at a hospital or health clinic, in the same way you would draw blood. There is no special preparation before undergoing this test.
The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:
- Wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
- Clean the area to be injected with alcohol
- Inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
- Attach the tube to the syringe to fill it with blood
- Unbundle your arm when enough blood is drawn
- Attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
- Apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on
Urine test procedure to detect drugs in the blood
Drug screening can be done with a urine test at a hospital or health clinic, in the same way you would check your urine for certain diseases. There is no special preparation before undergoing this test. But usually there will be an officer of your gender who will supervise and make sure you don't put in anything or tamper with the urine sample that could change the original result.
Here's the procedure for having a urine test for drugs:
- Wash your hands and make sure you are clean when going to collect urine
- Take the container used to hold your urine. Do not touch the inside of the container with your hands
- Clean your genitals with a tissue or cloth
- Start urinating as usual, but the urine must be collected in the sterile container. Make sure the container contains about 90 mL of urine
- After that, make sure your urine sample is not contaminated with other objects such as toilet paper, feces, blood, or hair.
Usually, drugs in the urine or saliva are easier to detect than drugs that are in the blood.
How long do drugs last in urine and blood?
The following are the factors that cause how long drugs such as drugs will last in your system.
- The type of test performed
- The amount of drug consumed
- Tolerance of the body to drugs
- Metabolism of the body
- Presence of certain medical conditions
The following is how long drugs such as drugs will last in the urine and blood. It should be emphasized that the information provided here is of a knowledge nature and does not intend to deceive those who will screen drug abuse.
- Alcohol will survive 3-5 days in urine and 10-12 hours in the blood
- Amphetamines will survive 1-3 days in urine and 12 hours in the blood
- Barbiturates will survive 2-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
- Benzodiazepines will survive 3-6 weeks in urine and 2-3 days in the blood
- Marijuana will survive 7-30 days in urine and 5 days-2 weeks in the blood
- Cocaine will survive 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
- Codeine will survive 1 day in urine and 12 hours in the blood
- Heroin will survive 3-4 days in urine and 12 hours in the blood
- LSD will survive 1-3 days in urine and 2-3 hours in the blood
- Ecstasy or MDMA will survive 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
- Metafetamine will survive 3-6 days in urine and 2-3 days in the blood
- Methadone will survive 3-4 days in urine and 24 to 36 hours in the blood
- Morphine will survive 2-3 days in urine and 6-8 hours in the blood
The most accurate type of test for detecting drug residues left in the body is actually through hair analysis. Hair analysis can reveal a detailed history of use of alcohol, amphetamines, heroin, marijuana, and morphine in the last 90 days.
